Maiden Arch by Robert Bryant

The most exquisite food we have ever eaten. Dining here was absolutely joyful. Not only did each dish look like individual pieces of art, the flavours were so incredible we were all beaming with delight with every mouthful. Rob was an outstanding chef and host and it was lovely to have him explain each dish with so much pride and passion. A wonderful experience, we will definitely be returning. Much gratitude.

This restaurant surpassed my expectations in terms of the food. Every course was a work of art and tasted delicious. I was a lone diner but was made to feel very welcome by the lovely waiting staff which is often not the case. I’m here for 4 weeks and will definitely be back before I leave.

Fabulous atmosphere and service. The food was absolutely delicious. Every course was adapted to our culinary requirements. The wine flight was good with each course. I would avoid the oyster next time, just not to our taste. We gave it a good go but no, not again. Not expensive for the quality of the food.

Booked this restaurant as a special treat for a birthday for my friend and booked accommodation in Barnstaple to stay overnight. On arriving at our hotel we had an email to say he was closing due to unforseen circumstances. I had only spoken to him the week before and explained it was a special treat, he said he was going on holiday the next day but would be open. We had to find somewhere else to eat, luckily the Imperial Hotel came to our rescue. Note from reviews which I read afterwards that he has done this several times. Whatever his talents as a chef, his attitude and values as a person score 0, we have suggested friends look elsewhere for eating places in the area.

AVOID AVOID AVOID!! If I could give zero stars, I would. We booked Maiden Arch for my partner's birthday. With two small children, it was the first time we'd ventured out for a decadent dinner out together for months, and we were hugely looking forward to it. We arrived to find the restaurant closed, with a note stuck on the door saying they had to shut at short notice and were unable to notify any customers in advance. No further explanation. As it was a busy Saturday night, we couldn't find a table at any other half-decent restaurant and had to return home for a takeaway - having already shelled out for a taxi and babysitter. We hoped there was a good explanation, and tried to give the restaurant the benefit of the doubt. But when we searched other reviews, we found this was a frequent occurrence and had ruined many other people's nights. Our phone calls weren't picked up, and our emails went unanswered. Quite extraordinary. How they run a business in this way - especially one that is meant to be Michelin-recommended - is perplexing. We will certainly not be going again.

I had an exceptional dining experience with Robert, one that felt truly personal and memorable. Robert's passion, dedication, and deep knowledge of the local area shine through in every dish he creates. The food was flawless, each bite a testament to his skill and creativity. The service struck the perfect balance—friendly, informative, and thoroughly professional.

Fabulous dining experience - beautifully prepared food in a relaxed atmosphere. First rate service from the waiting staff. The chef (Rob) is clearly passionate about what he does and has created something truly unique in North Devon. A real gem of a restaurant that should be top of your list for a special occasion.

We were booked in for the same night as the one star review. Robert rang us very apologetically to say that they couldn't open as he had to take his child to hospital. We would have done the same in putting family first in an emergency. We booked for a week later and had a wonderful time. The food, wine and service met our expectations, which was to dine at one of the best places in the Southwest. We will definitely be going back.